Blood donors who are Black play a critical role in helping people with sickle cell disease, the most common genetic blood disease in the U.S. Patients with the disease may rely on regular blood transfusions throughout their lives. It is essential that the blood they receive be the most compatible match possible, from someone of the same race or similar ethnicity.

Today, there aren’t enough blood donors to meet this urgent need. By donating blood, you can make a difference in the life of a patient with sickle cell disease as well as moms with complicated childbirths, people fighting cancer, accident or trauma victims being raced to emergency rooms, and many more.

Kyndryl invites its associates to donate at Red Cross locations where additional safety measures are in place including:

-Donor and staff temperature checks before entering drives

-All donors and staff required to wear a face covering or mask in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

-Following social distancing practices in waiting and refreshment areas as well as spacing beds 6 feet apart where possible

-Wiping down donor-touched areas and enhanced disinfecting of surfaces and equipment

-Having hand sanitizer readily available

-Wearing gloves and changing them often

-Using sterile collection sets

-Using aseptic scrubs on arms

-Laundering blankets used by donors and encouraging donors to bring their own (electric blankets and heating pads not permitted)

-Conducting mini-physicals to ensure donor health

Join us in pledging to donate and then use the Red Cross’s blood drive locator to find a blood drive near you! And after you give, but sure to inspire others by posting #BlackBloodDonorsNeeded #TeamUp4SickleCell to your social media platforms.